‘Reports of assaults and robberies involving the use of acid or other corrosive substances have increased in profile recently, with questions being asked as to how offenders who attack or threaten people with such substances are dealt with by the courts. In its guidelines for judges and magistrates, the Sentencing Council is clear that use of a corrosive substance is a factor that shows high culpability on the part of the offender.’

‘It is a privilege and a great pleasure to be in the other capital city of the jurisdiction of England and Wales to open the Business and Property Courts for Wales at Cardiff.
This opening represents the pragmatic and dynamic approach of our joint jurisdiction. As the Chancellor of the High Court of England and Wales will explain in a little more detail, the bringing together of the specialist civil courts for Wales at Cardiff follows the launch of the Business and Property Courts in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, to be followed in due course by a similar opening in Bristol.’

‘Domestic violence campaigners say they are very concerned plans to protect children from violent parents during custody battles have been delayed. Changes to family court guidelines were announced in January, but still have not been signed off by the government.’

‘A couple who were told by the Financial Ombudsman they would be repaid more than £47,000 stolen in a conveyancing scam have now been told, more than a year later, that they will not be getting their money back.’

‘We tend to assume that law is objective and disembodied, but the story of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK shows that it is in fact, like the people who create it, an emotional creature: animated by visceral human feelings – and as far as sexuality is concerned, the chief emotion at work is often disgust.’

‘A new consultation which looks to tidy up sentencing law has been launched by the Law Commission. Currently, the law of sentencing procedure is contained in many different Acts of Parliament, dating as far back as the 14th century. It is often not clear how the Acts apply and many use outdated and inaccessible language. So in plans published today – which do not affect current maximum or minimum sentences for criminal offences, nor replace the work of the Sentencing Council – the Law Commission offers a technical fix to modernise the law, bring greater transparency and improve efficiency.’

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